Motorcyclist seriously injured in crash with deer near Big Rapids

MECOSTA COUNTY -- A Big Rapids man suffered life-threatening injuries Thursday evening when his motorcycle struck a deer about 10 miles east of Big Rapids.

The 48-year-old man, whose name was not released, was driving east on McKinley Road near 157th Avenue in Colfax Township when he struck the deer as it crossed the road, Mecosta County sheriff's Deputy Jack Sutherby said.

The motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital, then flown to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital to be treated for serious injuries in the 6:40 p.m. crash, police said.